Thoughts On Gratitude

Eagle Lake, Acadia NP / Olympus E-M1, 1/125 sec@f/11, ISO 400, 24mm, no filters

Wow, I’ve finaly finished a long but enjoyable run of workshops – four in five weeks, plus a “side-trip” to Germany for Photokina. It’s good to be back home, and as I enjoyed a cup of coffee this morning before an early hike, I felt a need to share some thoughts about gratitude.

Over the past year teaching my workshops, I’ve met lots of great photographers and people, and every single one always makes me realize why I love teaching as much as I do. It’s an opportunity – a privilege really, to share nature, art, creativity, and meaningful experiences with kindred spirits. Every morning when the alarm sounds at 4:30am, I make sure to remind myself how I “get” to do what I do, instead of having to do what I do. And whether that’s teaching a long workshop, going out to photograph on my own, spending hours maintaining my website, or planning my marketing for the coming year, I try and take a moment each day to realize how lucky I am.

Gratitude is one of the best things you can express, with huge benefits for yourself and others around you. I haven’t always known that, but it’s one of the best practices I’ve ever adopted, personally and professionally.

“The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

“No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” — Alfred North Whitehead